The National Theatre has announced its plans — under the heading "Transformation" — for its Lyttleton Theatre and the new (temporary) Lyttleton Loft.

From May to September, the Lyttleton will be transformed into two spaces in which five contemporary plays will be staged in the main area and eight in the Loft studio space.

The Lyttleton will stage The Powerbook, A Prayer for Owen Meany, The Adventure of the Stoneheads, The Birds and Play Without Words.

The Loft — in conjunction with the NT Studio — will stage Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads, Free, Life After Life, The Shadow of a Boy, The Mentalists, Sanctuary, The Associate and Closing Time.

The transformation of the Lyttleton to these two performance spaces is one of Trevor Nunn's last major plans for the National Theatre, and will provide it with the studio space that Nunn is convinced it needs. Further details and listings will be released soon.

—By Paul Webb Theatrenow